Open Thread - Thurs 13 Oct 2022: Winter's Coming, and so is Seed Planning Time!
Garden/Crop Planning I: Where to get the Seeds?
It's almost time to start planning for next year's seed needs!
For years my husband and I offered our local town a CSA. Let me explain that briefly for those who don't know. CSA is short for Community Sponsored Agriculture - interested people buy shares of the farm's yearly production before (or as) the season starts. Then, every week, they get part of that season's production, whatever it is. We grew all kinds of vegetables, herbs, and fruit, and offered shares from early/mid April to late September/early October.
Anyway, planning for next year's seed needs for our CSA was a big, but rather fun and exciting, chore. The planning was an appropriate task for the fall and early winter months because it was done inside, over the seed catalogs, examining our collection of farm-produced seeds, counting, dreaming, plotting. Fun stuff! Now that we are retired, the seed planning isn't such an involved chore, but it is still fun.
In the next month I'll start planning by going through my seed cache and evaluating the seeds for age, condition, amount available, and so on, discarding any that are too old or in bad condition. The seed cache is kept in a box in a cool, but not cold, place. I put the seed packets in sealed ziplock bags (to reduce moisture exposure) organized by type of seed. For example all the brassicas are in one bag, all the lettuce/mesclun types in another, and so on. The seed box is kept in a cool, but not cold place. The seeds aren't exposed to light. They last for several seasons or longer this way.
Once the catalogs arrive, or the seed companies' websites are updated, I pour over them. I love looking at seed catalogs! It's the potential, I think, the hopefulness, of it all. Anyway, I decide what old reliable seed varieties need replacing, if I can't grow the seeds myself, and what new varieties offered up by the seed companies I would like to try.
There are many big seed companies that offer up catalogs. These can be good companies, but I like to use the products of smaller, more independent, companies. I try to avoid anything that is sort of Monsanto-tainted by huge agriculture. Here's some seed companies which I have used often over the years, and think are pretty good.
Johnny's Selected Seeds:
I've used Johnny's Selected Seeds since the beginning. They are a very, very good company; privately owned, located in Maine. They do seed testing and raise a lot of their own seeds. They are really good for small commercial growers.
Territorial Seed Company
This is a another company I've used since, well, since just after they started. They are located in Oregon. They raise their own seed, and do their own testing.
Seed Savers Exchange
This is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people grow old varieties of vegetables, flowers and herbs and exchange the seeds they produce of such varieties. It's really good to find 'old time' plants which just aren't available in most places anymore.
Filaree Farm (garlic)
I got my garlic from this farm. I love them because they helped teach me how to grow and develop my own garlic, and their website encourages one to do that, even though it means you won't buy seed garlic from them anymore! They also sell potatoes and shallots.
Irish Eyes - potatoes, seeds, garlic, more
This little company produces seeds, garlic and potatoes. I use them for seed potatoes. The potato crops here along the coast just aren't always reliable for seed potatoes (although they are great for eating potatoes usually) because of the diseases which grow over time. Basically, after a couple of years of growing and storing the potatoes end up too blighty to grow or store well. So I get seed potatoes commercially, when I need them. If you are growing potatoes in an area that isn't disease-prone, then just use the small ones from this year for your next year's seed potatoes.
Nichols Garden Nursery (herbs and more)
I get herb seeds from Nichols, and sometimes some rare vegetable seeds. Nichols is are located in Oregon.
In Part II (coming up in a couple weeks), I'll discuss a bit about seed planning particulars; making a planting schedule, determining how much seed and garden space is needed and so on.
So, thanks for reading. Where do you get your seeds? It would be cool to hear about other seed places in different localities. Here's the open thread - and remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
Good Day Everyone!
Hope you enjoy this little break from the very depressing national and world 'news'. Any questions about seeds, I would be happy to answer, but I bet a lot of you have a ton of knowledge already! :).
As usual, post pretty much whatever you want in the comments. I love to read them all when I get time! And have a great day!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Relief at last!
We got an inch of rain yesterday and last night. It's been 5 weeks since we got a decent rain. The forest is giving a sigh of relief. Thanks Chaac!
As to seed, we use Southern seed exchange as well as Johnny's. I wrote a piece a few years ago about seed and corporate capture. We like to order before the first of the year, because most things we like are readily available. The later in the season you wait, the more likely that inventories will run short. I think growing some of your own food may become more important as western economies decline.
We've had to water, but things are looking good for plenty of winter greens. We still have not dug our sweet potatoes.
Thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Yay, I'm glad you got rain!!
We are still waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Driest Summer, driest Fall on record, I think. Usually we've had rain by the first week of September, we still haven't had any since... err June, I think. We are getting eastern winds blowing the smoke from wild fires into the area. So it's hazy, and yellow/orange and smells like wood fires. Very cough inducing. Hopefully, in another week or two, it'll rain!
Southern Seed Exchange is good. I've used them a few times. I try to order seed before Christmas, like you before the New Year, so it's in stock and not sold out.
Hope you had a great day with the rain and thanks for reading and commenting!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Good morning Sima, et. al. Lots to do before noon,
including, I hope, finishing the bed prep and planting my recently arrived garlic and shallots from Renee's Garden. https://www.reneesgarden.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7p6aBhBiEiwA83fGus-892MbddXA...
They have a trial garden in Felton, CA - lower elevation Sta. Cruz Mtns.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Woo Hoo! Renees!
I grew up in that area (Santa Cruz Mountains and Felton). Forgot about Renee's! I've got to set up a sprinkler to water where the garlic is going (bed is about done), because of the lack of rain up here in the Seattle area. It's nuts. Never, ever had to do that before!
I used to have shallot beds. Maybe I should start those again. I dunno...
Thanks for stopping by and letting us know what you are up to!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Interesting post Sima.
Plenty of good information. Unfortunately because of my circumstances I will not be able to take advantage of it. Hopefully some will able to utilize the info.
Thanks for stopping by, regardless...
When I started to learn about growing things, I grew vegetables, even corn, in pots on my apartment balcony in Philly. If you ever wanna know about that, lemme know!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
I love rareseeds.com
Part of the deal here in our inhospitable climate is finding seeds that will actually grow here.
I will never grow a conventional garden here again, after 30 years of trying.
I am not giving up, but in this part of Texas, we need a climate-controlled environment. Period.
I am so inspired by Chinese agriculture. They are feeding their people by big ag and small ag alike. Big ag is not controlled by capitalist greed. They are motivated to create the best products for the good of their people. Our big ag is only out for profits.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
Big Ag not controlling Small Ag?
Wow, that seems almost sensible, and fair. What part of Texas are you in?
I forgot rareseeds. I think that's because I'm more north western oriented. As for a conventional garden, I think YOU should define that for your area and yourself. What grows there, is conventional, for there. I know it might not be all the usual veg, but I bet there are fruits and herbs and who knows what... Some things I can't grow normally: tomatoes and peppers. It's just too cold here, even in the summer. And if I'm growing corn, it has to be really babied or a local variety (which noone sells, of course). So I grow tomatoes and peppers in a hoop house. Ohh and eggplant? Not a chance of growing it here, even in the hoop house.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I was hoping to hear from you on this!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Man, I have the desire, but not the time!
Until I retire, which I think will be in 3 years, I just do not have the time.
This part of Texas is subject to drought, and no matter how much you water, the sun will melt the rubber on the soles of your shoes when you walk on the sidewalk. Still, I want to have the experience of growing my own vegetables again.
My local feed store will not sell GMO products. Period. Their starter plants are often heritage.
Aside from that, court was great today. I had 2 cases, got 2 requested rulings. And now, I want to mention mediation in court cases briefly.Trial is that time to advocate your client's wishes, and sometimes, dreams. Mediation is when the lawyers step back, let the clients structure a resolutions that they can simply live with and accept. Personally, it is hard for me to step back. I feel fairly useless in the process. The other aspect is that if in court, your communication with the client is notes back and forth. In mediation, they are ranting, raving, for hours on end, to me, and only me, and I have no choice but to listen, and respond.
I have had 9 hour mediations end in impasse. More often, they settle in 4 or 5 hours.
If any of you get into any type of litigation, you might want to try it. No court is in control. You are. No worry about court room surprises. You know and negotiate the results, so the worry and dread of the unknown vanishes.I will be in mediation for most of the day tomorrow.
No matter how much I dread it, I want the damn case settled once and for all!
Buy seed! Ignore politics!
Thanks so much, Sima.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I hope the mediation goes well tomorrow
and quickly. Nine hours of ranting and raving? Good grief. I'm awed at your patience. Just awed.
So, a couple more years and you'll be gardening. I know the Texas microclimates can be tough, so that'll have to be dealt with. Still, it will be a good learning experience and nice to get some stuff growing again, I bet!
I might have to adopt that line you put on the end of your comment 'Buy Seed! Ignore Politics!'. 'Listen to the plants and animals, ignore the cable news!' Heh
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Thanks for the seed issue
Sima. We will be awash in seed catalogs here as well very soon. I too enjoy pouring over them. I think your'e right about it being a 'hopeful' activity....any activity that provides a bit of optimism and hopeful anticipation is especially helpful right now.
I also like OTC's phrase 'buy seed, ignore politics'. I can't quite get myself to ignore politics but I will myself to ignore the horrific individual players, or at least try and refrain from uttering words about them in the presence of innocent bystanders. What comes out of my mouth regarding the current crop of politicians is unfit for civil discourse and is a horrible assault on people's ears.
We planted the garlic...10/9/22. We will see what happens. Last time we planted garlic was a couple of years ago. It rotted in the ground because we had too much rain that year! This year we had effectively zero rain....and we are still in drought. It's a crapshoot.
The Texas contingent here is right about the uncooperative weather. It makes it difficult to plan and anticipate best planting dates. That though, seems to increasingly be the case just about everywhere in the world. I have, over the last few years, been reading about the challenges Italian farmers have been facing with their crops. Since I love olives, olive oil, Parmesan, capers, and pretty much all foods from the Mediterranean, I am concerned and will really miss those things when they are no longer available.
This summer we bought a big bolt of cover/shade cloth. It will not be for a summer garden but instead, to protect the babies in the fall or spring garden until the weather cools, or, in the spring, when the weather gets too hot too fast. OTC and Marilyn {above} are right. Summer gardening in Tx is almost an exercise in futility. One has to choose very carefully what to plant during those months because most things will not make it.
Anyway, thanks again Sima. Hope you have a good week and I'm looking forward to Seed issue #2.